Fuel Security For Hurricane Season: How to Ensure Your Stored Fuel Is Ready When You Need It Most

As we soon enter the 2025 hurricane season, many organizations are revisiting their emergency preparedness plans. One critical aspect often overlooked until it's too late is fuel security – ensuring that your stored fuel remains viable and ready when you need it most. It’s not something you want to leave until a storm or any other potentially-catastrophic event is bearing down.

Given that we’ve been helping customers with fuel issues since 1909, we've seen firsthand how stored fuel problems can derail even the most well-thought-out emergency plans. Here's what you need to know to keep your fuel secure and ready.

Why Fuel Security Matters Now More Than Ever

Today's stored fuels face more challenges than ever before:

• Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is now standard, but the removal of sulfur has eliminated diesel's natural resistance to microbial growth
• The presence of both ethanol in gasoline and biodiesel in diesel fuels makes both fuels more susceptible to breakdown in storage
• Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns mean emergency generators and equipment may sit unused for extended periods, then be called upon with little warning

When a hurricane, tornado, or power outage strikes, the last thing you want is for your backup systems to fail because of degraded fuel.

The True Cost of Fuel Failure

When stored fuel fails during an emergency, the consequences can be severe:

• Critical operations disruption: During the 2003 Blackout that affected 50 million people, approximately 20% of emergency systems failed to work because of fuel issues
• Public safety risks: During Hurricane Sandy, NYU's Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital had to evacuate critical care patients because their backup generator systems failed
• Financial impact: Equipment damage from poor quality fuel can cost thousands in repairs
• Reputational damage: Organizations unable to maintain operations during emergencies often face serious public relations challenges

Six Critical Signs Your Stored Fuel May Be At Risk

1. Water accumulation - Even small amounts of water can create a breeding ground for microbes at the fuel-water interface. Use water finding paste and a tank stick to check for water buildup regularly.
2. Darkened or cloudy fuel - Fresh diesel should be clear and bright. If your fuel has darkened or appears cloudy, it may indicate oxidation or microbial contamination.
3. Sludge or particulate buildup - Sediment at the bottom of your tank can clog filters and fuel lines, potentially causing equipment failure at critical moments.
4. Abnormal odor - A sour or rotten smell from your fuel is a telltale sign of microbial contamination.
5. Frequent filter replacements - If you're changing fuel filters more often than usual, it could indicate fuel quality issues.
6. Poor equipment performance - If generators sputter, produce excessive smoke, or fail to start during routine testing, your fuel may be compromised.

The Hybrid Approach to Fuel Security

The most effective fuel security strategy combines both chemical and mechanical solutions:

Chemical Solutions:

• Biocides - The only way to truly eliminate microbial contamination. For major infestations, a shock treatment is needed, followed by regular maintenance dosing.
• Fuel stabilizers - These prevent oxidation and extend the storage life of your fuel. Add them to fresh fuel for best results.
• Water controllers - Help manage both small amounts of water accumulation in diesel tanks and prevent phase separation in ethanol blends.
• Sludge dispersants - Break up existing tank bottom sludge and prevent new formations.

Mechanical Solutions (To help do what chemical solutions cannot do alone):

• Water removal - Pump out significant water accumulation from tank bottoms.
• Fuel polishing - Professional filtration to remove contaminants and restore fuel to specification.
• Tank cleaning - Removal of accumulated sludge and biofilm from tank surfaces.
• Testing (Regular fuel testing is essential to identify problems before they become critical):
• Microbial testing - Simple dip tests or more comprehensive ATP testing can identify contamination levels.
• ASTM specification testing - Ensures your fuel meets required standards for combustion properties, water content, and stability.

Essential Steps to Take Now

1. Check your tanks for water immediately - Use water finding paste on a tank stick to measure any water at the bottom of your tanks.
2. Conduct visual fuel inspections - Take a sample in a clear glass jar and examine it for clarity, color, and particulates.
3. Schedule professional fuel testing - Have your fuel tested for microbial contamination and key ASTM specifications.
4. Develop a fuel maintenance schedule - Regular monitoring, testing, and treatment is far more cost-effective than emergency remediation.
5. Consider a fuel security partnership - Programs like Bell's Fuel Secure subscription provide regular testing, monitoring, and treatment recommendations to ensure your fuel stays ready.

Fuel security isn't just about having enough fuel—it's about ensuring that fuel will perform when you need it most. By implementing a comprehensive fuel maintenance program now, you can avoid costly downtime, equipment damage, and operational failures during emergencies.

Don't wait until the next storm is on the horizon to address your fuel security. Take action today to ensure your stored fuel is ready to power you through whatever challenges tomorrow may bring.

Bell Performance has been helping customers solve their most challenging fuel problems for over a century. Our Fuel Secure program provides peace of mind through regular monitoring, testing, and expert recommendations to keep your stored fuel ready when needed. Contact us today at 407-831-5021 or visit www.bellperformance.com to learn more about securing your fuel supply.